Senior Field Safety Adviser (FLD)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior Field Safety Adviser

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
    
The post of Senior Field Safety Adviser takes on the role of leading, coordinating and supervising all activities related to security issues within a country or operation.
The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and implementing partners to facilitate the operation.
The incumbent directly supervises  UNHCR Field Safety personnel within the operation, and reports to the Representative or the Deputy Representative.
The incumbent has a responsibility to monitor, coach, guide and support  staff within the given area of responsibility
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT.

Accountability

- Country operations receive practical and well-reasoned security advice and support, helping ensure an appropriate level of safety for UNHCR¿s staff and operations and compliance with security guidelines and procedures.
- UNHCR benefits from effective and responsive support from host country law enforcement agencies and the UN Security Management System.
- Staff are aware of threats/risks and how to manage them, understand and comply with guidelines and procedures.
- Security management is efficient, well-coordinated and consistent with policies and procedures.

Responsibility

- Advise and support the Representative or Head of Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR staff, partners, operations, premises and refugees or persons of concern.
- Undertake regular travel within the country, assess current and potential risks and provide timely and proactive analysis to support managerial decision making.  
- Provide specific recommendations regarding measures and procedures to ensure and improve the safety of UNHCR staff, operations, premises, partners and persons of concern, with specific attention to agency-specific needs such as camp security, refugee convoys and security issues related to urban refugees: provide follow-up support to ensure implementation.
- Develop plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies
- Provide regular and forward-looking analysis of the security environment, focusing on factors of risk with potential to impact UNHCR operations.
- Ensure that offices are MOSS and MORSS compliant; make sure that deficiencies are brought to the attention of management.
- In cooperation with senior management, ensure that humanitarian and security objectives are reconciled in the area of responsibility, and that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development.
- Conduct or participate in security risk assessments for UNHCR programme activities. Advise on programme criticality processes.
- As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with security-related actors including host government law enforcement authorities and other actors within the operating environment to ensure effective support and information sharing; provide regular feedback and analysis to country managers.
- Ensure UNHCR's effective participation in the UN Security Management System, by maintaining close co-operation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and security personnel of other UN agencies, ensure UNDSS understanding of agency requirements and contribute to development of policy and procedures to support these, cooperating in the development of security plans and procedures, and supporting UNHCR¿s role in security forums such as the Security Management Team. 
- Support UNHCR staff serving as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens.
- Provide training and advice to staff and partners aimed at developing skills to plan and conduct operations safely within the specific security environment.
- Provide country-relevant security briefing, training and advice to UNHCR staff at all levels, and where appropriate, to staff of NGOs and implementing partners in all areas of field safety and security risk management.
- Provide security analysis and reports to UNHCR offices within the region of responsibility and the Field Safety Section at Headquarters according to established procedures.
- Maintain linkages with the Staff Welfare Section, and the Joint Medical Service, referring cases as required.
- Undertake other functions or responsibilities in the interest of UNHCR as appropriate and as delegated by the supervisor.

Authority

- Provide security-related advice, in written and oral form, to the manager and other staff.
- Advise on, and upon approval, implement, needed mitigating measures.
- Participate in criticality assessments.
- Represent UNHCR in interagency working groups and attend SMT or ASMT meetings as an observer.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. 

- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) with a focus on security management and/or related disciplines (business administration, political/social science, international relations).
- Also relevant would be military or police academy degree (at Officer level) at the equivalent of an advanced university degree (MA or equivalent) specifically successful  completion of the Command and General Staff at a recognized military staff college or police equivalent.
- Minimum of 8 years (9 years with undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS)) in previous job experience including 5 years security risk management experience in an international capacity.
- Fluency in English and another relevant UN language, including strong drafting skills.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
- Proven competences in security analysis.
- Negotiating skills.
- Organisation management.
- Proven training skills. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

Before applying to this position, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific FAQs information leaflets which can be found  on the Intranet under Staff Resources > Duty of Care. The information leaflets are specifically designed to answer some of the key questions potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. 

The Snr FSA will advise and support the Representative in the FOS covered by the SRFSA.  In that capacity she/he will help raise the security consciousness, build capacity of the Field Safety Associates, assist and support Senior UNHCR Managers in appropriate safety planning for UNHCR staff, IDPs and refugee operations. This includes an effective integration of UNHCR plans and security measures in the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) setting within CAR.                               The incumbent of this position will also have the responsibility to promote the establishment of a system that ensures an appropriate level of safety for UNHCR staff and its operations and the compliance with the security guidelines and procedures established by the Designated Official, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and UNHCR Headquarters. 
UNHCR CAR needs a shrewd Snr FSA to be able to conceive and implement such befitting mitigation measures which, coupled with excellent analysis of the security situation, would protect UNHCR staff and property and deep field operations better.
Given the considerable and diverse work load, it is important that the applicant be motivated, hard-working, organized and fluent in written and spoken French, as all communications within the offices and with external partners such as Government and humanitarian agencies are conducted in French. Good knowledge of English, especially written, would be a plus as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English. The security landscape of CAR in the recent past has so deteriorated to the point where there is an absolute need for the deployment of an experienced and talented Senior Field Safety Adviser at the P4 level in 2018. The latter will diligently coordinate the complex and delicate security activities in the fast growing humanitarian operation in the high risk environment, made worse by the absence of regular law enforcement forces and Omni presence of a multitude armed groups, operating freely and in most cases on ethnic affiliation and liaise on a permanent basis with MINUSCA (DPKO) forces who have taken over from MISCA.
From the way things are, it is very unlikely that security situation will improve any sooner and the status quo might remain through the first half of 2018. Security situation is currently characterized by armed conflicts between Anti-Balaka and Muslim community in Zemio, Bria and about 22 km from Mobaye. Anti-Balaka are determined to chase rival UPC from Basse-Kotto, Ouaka, and South of Mbomou prefectures.
In addition, youth of group d¿auto-defense continue to challenge MINUSCA force in Zemio while criminality increases in the entire CAR. Roads Gambo-Bangassou, Bangassou-Ouango, Bangassou-Bakouma, Rafaï-Zemio-Obo; Alindao-Mobaye, Ippy-Bria, Bakala-Ippy, Bouca-Batangafo-Kabo-
Moyenne Sido, Nana-Bakassa-Markounda, Bocaranga-Bang-Ngounday, Kaga Bandoro-Kabo, Bamingui-Ndele, Bria-Ouadda and road to Paoua remain at HIGH Risk due to the presence of armed groups and some Individuals who still control these roads. UNHCR has 8 offices in CAR: 1 Representation (Bangui), 1 Sub-Office (Bouar) and 5 Field Offices (Bambari, Kaga Bandoro, Paoua, Obo, Zemio); in addition to a Field Unit in Berberati.
The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation, social unrest and grievance in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about cases of criminalities as a direct result of the crisis. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport situated 1,500 km away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages 4 days to a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 3 and 5 restricting movement to official travel only. Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am. This situation puts great stress on staff members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel. Staff are accommodated in UNHCR guesthouse until they arrange their own private accommodation inside the approved security perimeter in Bangui. CAR is a L3 operation
UN Security Levels are: 4 (Substantial) for the all parts of the country except Vakaga and Bouar that are under UN-SLS 3 (Medium)
Curfew:  22h to 5h
Specific Threats:
1. Armed conflict and criminality are the daily main threats in CAR
2. Clashes in urban areas between armed groups are frequent
3. Risk of armed conflict is very high and UNHCR staff is exposed to collateral damages
4. Humanitarian convoys escorted by MINUSCA are ambushed by armed groups on some axis,
5. Military escort is a MOSS requirement in some areas.
6. High risk of looting of humanitarian offices and guest houses
7. Presence of road blocks erected by armed groups on axis used by humanitarian
8. Evident intention of armed groups to hijack humanitarian for different reasons 1. Malaria / Paludisme
2. Non potable water
3. HIV
UNHCR Medical service, provides advice as to the required vaccinations to be taken by International personnel prior to their arrival.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2017 Compendium is Monday 6 November 2017 (midnight Geneva time).